Sealing machine



Nov. 18, 1952 H. E. STOVER SEALING MACHINE 2 SI-EETS-Sl-IEET 1 Filed Sept. 3, 1949- 71 m w x FITTUPIVE) Nov. 18, 1952 H. E. S-TOVER SEALING MACHINE zsass'rs-snam 2 Filed Sepl'... 3, 1949 HTTORIVD Patented Nov. 18, 1952 UNITED STATES TENT OFFICE SEALING MACHINE Harry E. Stover, Lancaster, Ohio, assignor to AnchorHocking Glass Corporation, Lancaster, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application September 3, 1949, Serial No. 114,051

20 Claims. '1

The present inventionrelates generally to sealing of closure caps to-containers and moreparticularly to an improved machine or mechanism for automatically and more .accuratelyappl'ying closure caps to containers.

This application embodies'improvements upon and additions tothesealingmachine of. my prior application Serial No.,'698,124, filed in theUnited States Patent Ofiice onSe'ptembeinZO, 19,46. This application is in part a continuation of that earlier application.

With sealing machines ofthis general type, containers are carried by .a moving belt to a closure cap delivery station and vapor is injected between the container mouth and the closure cap shortly prior to.,and at thetime that the closure cap is applied tothe container. Vapor trapped within the container condenses and a vacuum is formed within the sealed package.

Where closure caps of the type shown in .Norman N. Holland Patent No. 1,909,406 are applied to the containers thereis occasionally a tendency for the closure to tilt or rock ona container as a forked or V-shapedfmember moves over peripheral edges of the closurecap in connection with movement of the cap downwardly over an annular enlargement onthe container rim adjacent its mouth. .This tilting movement is objectionable'asfit results in the loss of vacuum due to the upwardly tilted end of the closure and slows down the operation of the machine. In addition, during application of theclosures to containers there sometimes occurs a tendency for a moving container to come into contact with the underside of a closure in such manner as to scratch'or scrape away a protective lacquer coating of the closure; marring of this lacquer coating is highly objectionable as it exposes the underlying metal to they contentsv of the container and as a result the metal quickly rusts or is eaten away so that one or more pin holes form in the cap. Once even a single minute pin hole occurs through the cap the vacuum is lost and the container contents'rapidly spoil. This eating away of the metal'seem's to be accentuated by the relatively weak acids present in some foodstuffs.

The present invention aims to overcome the above and other disadvantages or difficulties by providing an improved j means for applying closure caps to' containers'without marring the lacquer coatings and at the same time minimizing or preventing'the possibility of tilting of the closure caps during their application tocontainers.

An object of the .present inventionis to provide anew and improved sealing machine.

Anotherobject of. the'invention is to provide a new and improved meansadapted, to prevent or' minimize marringf the protective coatings of closure" caps.

2 Another object of the invention is to provide a newand improved star wheel.

Another object .is to provide improved means adaptedto prevent tilting of closure capsdur- 7 ing sealing thereof to containers.

.Another object of the invention is to provide improved means for more accurately applying closures to containers.

Another 'objectisto provide an improved closure cap-placing fork or bifurcated member.

Still another object is to provide improved means for forcing a closure .downwardlyover a container mouth.

A still further object is to provideimproved means for tensioninga sealing belt.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodimentabout to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and-various advantages not referred toherein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes ofillustration and description and is shown in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a side view, partly in section, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 1a is-an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating relative positions of a closure and container shortlyprior to removal of the closure from a chute by the container;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view showing the sealing machine illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary View taken along the line 33 of Fig. l;

r Fig. 4 is a fragmentary top view illustrating a modified form of star wheel which may be used with the sealing machine illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional View, partly broken away, showing the star wheel of Fig. 4 together with a container andclosure cap; I

Fig.6 is a side elevational view illustrating a modified form of means for forcing the closure cap downwardly onto a container;

Fig. i is a sideelevational view, partly broken and partly in section, illustrating a modifled form of closure cap-placing means;

8 is an end View of the fork, or bifurcated member shown in Fig. 7; and

- Fig. 9 is an end View showing a modified form of fork or bifurcated member along the lines of thatillustrated in Fig, '3.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a portion 5 of an endless belt which cooperates with a star. wheel 2 to move previously filled containers from left 'to right past the cap-placing and applying devices. The containers are supported at their bottoms by the upper surface of the moving conveyor belt I and are received in openings or pockets 4 of the star wheel 2 which projects at least partially over the moving belt I, and which rotates about a vertical axis. Both the conveyor i and the star wheel 2 cooperate in moving the containers through the machine, the star wheel minimizing the possibility of containers toppling over during their movement past a cap-placing station and upon engagement with the means which applies force to move the closure caps downwardly into secure sealing engagement with the container rim. The star wheel may be driven at any suitable speed in general conformity with lineal speed of the conveyor I. 7

At the cap delivering station the upper rim 5 of the container 6 engages with a lower portion of a closure cap I which is held in inclined position adjacent the lower part of a cap chute 8; continued movement of the container pulls the closure cap out of the chute. As the closure cap is delivered to and placed upon the container vapor is injected between the underside of the closure and the container rim so that a vacuum may form within the sealed package after the closure gasket is in contact with the container rim and when the vapor has condensed.

The closures are preferably delivered to the chute 8 one by one, in response to movement of containers along with the conveyor belt I, and they reach the lower end of the chute 8 in time to be pulled out by a container 6. Thus the closures are not subjected to possibly deteriorating action of high temperature steam over long periods of time. Any suitable means may be utilized for delivering closures to the upper end of the chute 8 at proper intervals.

When a closure cap is adjacent the lower portion of the chute 8, it engages at spaced front edge portions with stop members II at opposite sides of the chute. The cover or upper panel of the closure is then in engagement with a lower portion of the pivoted member l2, which may have a magnet substantially flush with its lower outer surface adapted to cooperate in holding the closure in position. In this manner a closure is held in position and as the rim of a container engages a lower portion of the closure to remove it from the chute the downwardly projecting portion of the closure is lifted upwardly over the spaced stop members I I and the lower end of the pivoted member [2 is raised upwardly and wipes along the cover of the cap as the cap is withdrawn.

As a moving container approaches the cap delivering station, its upper leading or front edge 5 approaches the underside of an inclined closure cap at a lacquer coated area (see Figs. 1 and la). If the closure happens to be located at an optimum position the front edge portion of the container moves into contact with a sealing gasket in the depending skirt of the closure, continued forward movement of the container thus pressing against the gasket so as to withdraw the closure from the chute. In many instances the closure cap swings downwardly about such a point or line of contact, to give an annular contact between the gasket and the container, without any contact between the container rim and any protective lacquer coated undersurface of the closure. In such instances there is no objectionable scraping away or marring of the protective lacquer coatings of the underside of the closure. In other instances. however, the closure cap may 4 v project sufiiciently far downwardly or the leading edge of the container rim may project sufficiently far upwardly to give an initial contact between the uppermost front edge of the glass container and the lacquer coated undersurface of the closure; this contact and scraping are objectionable since it frequently, particularly with a relatively sharp upper edge on the container, removes part or all of the protective lacquer coating. As previously mentioned scraping away this protective coating exposes the underlying metal and pin holes quickly develop.

With the present sealing machine the above difiiculty is minimized or eliminated by the provision of a raised portion or shelf l4 adjacent the outer end l5 ofeach arm I 6 of the star wheel 2. Thus when a cap is delivered to the chute 8, in response to movement of a container by the belt I, the cap may slide downwardly until its lowermost portion comes into contact with the upper part of a shelf or raised portion M beneath the cap chute. Not all closures need come into contact with the top of the raised portion 14 since some of them may, due to manufacturing tolerances, be retained at an optimum position by the stop members II and lower end of the pivoted member l2. However, in no event does a closure cap drop lower than the upper surface of a shelf or raised portion I 4. Preferably the upper front portions of the raised or shelf portions l4 are slightly inclined as shown at I 3 so that they may pass readily beneath lowermost portions of inclined closure caps which are in the chute 8 prior to a particular raised portion I 4 reaching a location adjacent the lower end of the chute 8.

Thus itwill be seen that the raised portions [4 carried by the star wheel 2 maintains the closures at optimum positions for engagement with the upper leading edge 5 of a container; the closures are retained against dropping downwardly to such an extent that the leading edge 5 of a container may contact with their undersides .to thereby scrape or rub against the protective lacquer coatings. The trailing edges l8 of the raised shelf portions 14 may lie closely adjacent the sealing surfaces of containers passing through the machine so as .to support the lower edge or side of a closure as it goes onto the container and so that the underside of the closure top panel is held out of contact with the rim of the jar while so supported. 7

In Figs. 1 and 2 the raised or shelf portions M are shown formed integrally with the star wheel 2. This'eonstruction is preferred since the raised portions may be formed at the same time as the star wheel and since they may be readily formed of relatively narrow widths so as not to interfere with the relatively narrow projections which form the star wheel openings or pockets 4 in some instances.

If desired, each raised or shelf portion may comprise a button-like member I!) (Figs. 4 and 5) secured by bolt 20, nut 2| and washer 22 to a star wheel 23. Preferably a locking pin 25 is V utilized to accurately locatethe button and to assist, in retaining it against movement out of correct position. An inclined upper portion 24 may be provided to assist in movement of the raised top portion beneath a lower edge of a closure cap. This modified form of caplift button operates similarly to that described in connection with the preferred embodiment of Figs. 1, 2 and 1a, the upper surface of the raised shelf preventing excessive downward movement of a gages closure 'c'ap. During app-lication'of a closure to the container the'raised p'ortionorshelf prevents contact between the lacquer coated underside of the closureand the rim of a container. Fig. shows a closure cap as it moves downwardly toward a container.

As the closure cap, support-ed at the correct height by the shelf or raised portion I4 or I9 of the star wheel, is withdrawn from the end Tof the delivery chute 8 by the moving container 6,'the closure cap and upper end of the container move between the spaced downwardly extending fingers of a forked, generally V-shaped,:or bifurcated member 3 I. The spaced fingers of the fork slide along spaced peripheral portionsof the closure cap during its movement and urge the cap downwardly toward an annular enlargementjon the container rim; this peripheral contact and pressure by the spaced fingers of the fork continues entirely about the circumference of the cap which carries an annular gasket in itsskirt.

It will be noted that the fork or bifurcated member 3| is mounted so that it may pivot or oscillate about a pin 3-2 as a container passes under it; this is very advantageous due to the fact that glass finishes of containers passing under the fork may not be strictly level orhor-izontal from side to side and the fork can oscillate or shift slightly to adjust for this discrepancy. In addition, the container and its closure may be travelling on the conveyor slightly'to one side of the exact center of the fork and here again the fork may swivel orpivot to press the closure cap downwardly with subs-tantiallyequal pressure along oppositely disposed peripheral portions of the closure; without this pivotal or swivel mounting of the fork, the closure may be pushed down at one side more quickl than at another, to thus interfere with maintaining vacuuin' due toan objectionable tendency to tilt the closure.

While the bifurcated or forked member 3| performs generally in a very satisfactory manner there is occasionally a tendency for closure caps to be tilted upwardly at the front edge as the fork passes the mid-point of theclosure and approaches the rear end of the closure. .This is particularly true with the situation which exists where tolerance variations result in the combination of a maximum diameter container with a minimumdiameter closure cap. v In such instances there is a tendency for a g asket in the closure to merely rest against the upper surface of a surface adjacent the mouth of the container,

v rather than to move downwardly over the outermost portions of it. With the present sealing machine this tendency of a closure cap to move upwardly at its front end as the fork approaches its rear portion is preventedby extending a sealing belt 31 to a position closely adjacent the fork 3|;

in this manner the front end of a closure on a rie ca i at th i' c t; n ithe ,ibr' a means whichholds the belt'in sealing position closely adjacent the fork 3| and which mainitainsittaut at all times. As shown inth'ese two 4.4, which in turn connects with a yoke or bracket 45 which rotatably'supports the pulley ll around which the right end of the conveyor belt 3? passes.

At its entrance end the sealing belt '37 is carried by vertically spaced upper and lower rollers 49 and 50, each roller being rotatably supported adjacent one end of a pivotally mounted arm or yoke 5| and 52, respectively. Each of the arms or yoke members 5| and 52 may be pivotally supported adjacent its inner end on a shaft 54 and 55, respectively, and the shafts may be retained in position by shaft locks 56 and 57. Each of the rollers 49 and 5|] may move up and down with the arms 5| and 52 about the shafts 54 and 55.

The lower roller 50 and its supporting arm 52 are preferably urged downwardly in yieldable manner by a spring 59 retained in suitable pockets and positioned between the movable arm or lever 52 and a portion of the bracket member 38. The limit of downward movement of the lower roller 50 and its arm 52 may be adjustably controlled by a set screw 56 shown threaded through the arm 52 and abutting at one end against an extension of the bracket member 33. A look nut 58 may retain a set position of the screw 56.

The two pivoted arms or levers El and 52 are preferably urged apart from each other at all times by a spring 6| carried in pockets formed on the respective arms; in this manner the upper and lower rollers 49 and 5|] are urged apart from each other and the belt 31 is maintained taut.

The spring 59 urges the lower arm 52 and its roller 50 downwardly toward containers and closure caps which pass beneath the lower strand of the belt 31 and closure caps come into contact with entrance portions of the belt 31 prior to the fork 3| moving out of contact with a rear edge of the moving closure cap. In the event the lower front roller 50 is forced upwardly by a closure cap which may not be fully seated upon a container, the lower roller and its arm may move upwardly and at the same time the upward movement tends to compress the intermediate spring 6| and thereby lift the upper arm 52 and the upper front roller 49 so as to maintain substantially constant belt tension, which is very desirable.

The sealing belt 31 may be driven in any suitable manner, preferably at the same lineal speed as the conveyor which supports and moves the containers 6. r Y

As a closure and container continue to advance beneath the lower strand of the belttl the closures move beneath a front shoe 64, carried by suitable supporting members 65 and urged downwardly toward the lower strand of the belt 31 by shoe presser springs El contained in pockets located intermediate the upper and lower strands of the belt. The springs 51 are shown held in their retained pockets by plugs t3 threaded into openings in a portion of the bracket member 38. Excessive downward movement of the front shoe M is prevented by a seat it against which the shoe-supporting members 55 rest. A keeper bar H may connect adjacent shoe-si 1 pporting members65 at each-side of-the device 'to"facilitate their movement and to assist in retaining them in proper positions. After The forked member 31 and the initial entrance portion of the sealing belt 37 generally press the closures downwardly onto the containers sufficiently to create a vacuum seal upon the condensaition of steam within the containers. The pressure applying shoes 54 and T3 apply additional increased pressure to force the closures completely down into full seated position on the containers.

During the time that the closure caps are contacted simultaneously by the forked member 3| and by the entrance portions of the sealing belt 31, the lower leading or front edges of the closure caps are supported by the elevated or shelf-like portions l4 carried by the star wheel 2. This supporting of the closure cap front edge may continue for a short time subsequent to termination of contact between the fork 3| and the rear part of the closure (see Fig. 2). Shortly subsequent to termination of contact between the fork 3| and a closure, the star wheel shelf or raised portion moves in a generally lateral direction with respect to the path of movement of the containers and closures and moves out from beneath the closure. The containers may be restrained against objectionable lateral movement by any suitable guide rails (not shown). As the raised star wheel portions 14 move outwardly from beneath closure caps the sealing belt and pressure foot as readily move the closure downwardly toward its fully seated. position.

Thus the front edge of the closure is supported during its removal from the cap delivering chute, the closure is pressed downwardly toward the container by the forked member 31 during the time that the front edge of the closure cap is supported, the front edge of the closure is contacted by and held downwardly by the entrance end of the feeding belt 31 and its backing roller 553', and

the raised closure supporting portion [4 of a star wheel moves laterally out of the path of movement of the container subsequent to the sealing belt 3? contacting the closure to urge it fully downwardly. In this manner it is practically impossible for aclosure cap to tilt or rock on the upper surface of the container so as to lose a vacuum which may have been formed. The closure is pressed downwardly accurately and uniformly to form an improved seal about a container mouth.

In Fig. 6 there is shown a form of belt supporting means which may be used if desired. That shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is preferred however. In Fig. 6, the sealing belt 31a is shown passing around an exit roller 41a and a single entrance roller 58a. The roller 50a is carried by an arm or lever 52a pivotally mounted on a shaft 550.. A spring 590. intermediate the arm 52a and a bracket member 38a normally urges the arm 52a, roller 59a. and entrance end of the belt 31a downwardly toward closure caps on containers which pass beneath the belt. Undesired slackness in the belt 31a may be minimized or prevented by a V tensioning roller 15 mounted on a shaft 80 carried at opposite ends thereof by members 16, which are urged upwardly toward belt tightening position by springs Tl that encircle studs 18. The amount of compression of the springs 11 and positioning of the tensioning roller 15 may be achieved by nuts 19 threaded onto the bolts or studs 18. As in the preferred embodiment, the lower strand or flight of the moving sealing belt 31a, travels beneath depending shoes Ma and 13a, which serve to back up the belt in connection with forcing the closures downwardly onto the containers.

While the fork or bifurcated member 3| illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 is generally satisfactory for use in applying relatively wide mouth and shallow skirted closures on containers, it is preferred to utilize a different form of fork for applying relatively deep-skirted closures of the catsup cap type to bottles or containers.

Figs. 7, 8 and 9 illustrate a construction which may be preferred in the latter instance. As shown in these figures a fork or bifurcated member 82 has a fiat portion 83 intermediate downwardly projecting arms at opposite sides thereof. The intermediate portion 83 is adapted to press against the cover or panel portion of a catsup cap during movement of the cap along the underside 85 of the fork member 82. The depending portions 84 do not engage to any substantial extent either a front or rear edge portion of the closure but preferably engage only side portions of the closure during its movement along the underside 85 of the forked member. The two downwardly depending portions or prongs are preferably just wide enough at their juncture with the horizontal portion of the fork to pass over the cap; in other words, the diameter of the upper end of the closure is about the same as the minimum distance between the prongs 84 of the fork. The catsup cap with its relatively deep skirt passes around the lower portion 85 of the fork, its depending skirt portion gradually assumes a vertical position, and the form of fork illustrated facilitates pressing the closure straight downwardly over the container mouth. If desired a plurality of magnets's'i, two being shown, may be provided along the undersurface 85 to assist in retaining and supporting a catsup cap and to retard its movement as a container engages with its skirt and urges it forwardly along the underside of the fork member 82. The fork member shown in Fig. 9 is generally similar to that of Figs. 7 and 8 and its use may be desirable in applying similar types of catsup closures. The depending prongs 84a cooperate with the intermediate portion 83a similarly to that described in connection with Figs. '7 and 8.

It will be seen that the present invention provides a new and improved means for sealing closure caps to containers. The closures are accurately positioned so as to prevent or minimize any objectionable marring of protective coatings at the undersides of the closures, and the closures are pushed downwardly by pressure applied about their peripheral portions adjacent a gasket in the closure skirt, into accurate sealing engagement with a container. The forked or bifurcated member may pivot or swivel in a trans- ;verse or lateral direction about its mounting so as to accommodate out-of-level containers and closures and to provide an even, substantially uniform pressure on the annular sealing gasket.

Any tendency for the forked or bifurcated member to tilt the front end of the closure upwardly as the forked member prongs approach a common contact point at the rear of the closure is e e ted. r. in mized. by he lesel e s h c osure. a o gmm g n f he downwardly prior to the termination of contact between the rear edge of the closure and the forked member. As the closure cap and its container continue to advance beneath the sealing belt the elevated portion or shelf on the star wheel, which accurately," positions the closure cap, moves generally laterally away from the container and its closure cap so that thesealing belt and; its backing shoes may force the closure fully down upon the container.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangementof the parts herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and; without sacrificing any'of its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. i

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1 In'a machine of the class described, the combination of means including an inclined chute for delivering a closure cap to amoving container, a forked member adjacent a lower end of said chute adapted to contact spacedperipheral portions of said closure cap to urge the cap down wardly toward, the container, and means spaced from said chute but adjacent said member and at substantially the level of said member for contacting and pressing downwardly a front edge portion of said closure cap while said forked member remains in contact with another portion of the closure cap.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means having spaced downward- 1y extending fingers adapted to'contact and move along spaced peripheral portions of a closure cap having a depending skirt with asealing gasket therein to urge the cap downwardly toward the container, and means including an endless belt having an entrance end spaced from the fingered means a distance less than the diameter of said closure cap and having a lower surface disposed at a height intermediate upper and lower portions of said fingers for contacting and pressing downwardly a front edge portion of said closure cap while said fingered means remains in contact with other portions of the closure cap whereby the closure cap is restrained against tilting during sealing to the container.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means for delivering a closure cap to a moving container, a forked member, means pivotally mounting said member for movement about an axis extending generally along the path of movement of the container to thereby provide member movement in a plane transverse to the direction of movement of said moving containers to contact spaced peripheral portions'of said closure cap and urge the cap downwardly toward the container, and means spaced from but adjacent to said member and disposed above alowermost end of said member for contacting and pressing downwardly a front edge portion cf said closure cap while said forked member remains in contact withthe closure cap. 4'. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a sloping chute for delivering a closure cap in sloping position to a moving container so that said moving container comes into contact with the closure at an inner wall portion of its depending skirt, means below said sloping chute having an'upper surface portion for supporting a lowermostedge portion of said depending skirt during removal of theclosure cap from said sloping chute, first pressing means for pressingthe closure cap downwardly toward the container while said edge'portion is supported on said upper surface, means for moving'said upper surface portion away from the closure cap, andsecond pressing means spaced from said first pressing means for pressing the front edge of, the closure cap downwardly prior 'to said first pressing means being out of contact with the closure cap, said upper surface of said first mentionedmeans being at substantially the level of said seccnd'pressing means.

5. In a 'machine' of the class described, the combination of means for delivering a closure cap to a moving container, means for supporting'a front edge portion of a closure cap during removal thereof from said delivering means, forked means for contacting spaced portions of the closure cap and urging the closure 'cap down wardly toward the container while said front edge is supported, means for moving said frontedge supporting means away from the closure cap, and means for pressing the front edge of the closure cap downwardly prior to said forked means being out of contact with the closure cap.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination of inclined means for delivering a closure cap in inclined position to a moving container, a rotatable member below said inclined means having an upper surface portion at substantially the level of a sealing surface on'the container for supporting a bottom edge portion of an inclined closure cap' skirt during removal thereof from said inclined means, means adapted to urge the closure cap downwardly while said bottom edge portion is supported'by said upper surface portion'o f the member, means spaced from said urging 'means adapted'to press the closure cap downwardly prior to interruption'of contact between said closure cap and said upper surface portion of the memberyrotation of said member moving said upper surface portion away from the closure cap in a generally lateral direction with respect to the direction of movement of the container and closure c'a'pl' '7. In a machine of'the class described, the combination of means havingan opening for holding a container during movement thereof pasta closure cap delivering station, and a shelf car ried by said means adjacent said opening with a surface spaced'above an upper surface of said means adapted tosupport a'n edge' portion of a closure cap delivered to a container at said sta- '-,v,.. v .l

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination of means having airope'ning for holding a'container during movement past an inclined closure cap delivering'chute and aportion carried'by said means adjacent said opening'haW ing "a supporting surface spaced above said means adapted to temporarily'support alowermost edge of a closure cap pulled out of saidchuteby'the moving container.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a star wheel for'receivingcontai'ners during movement past aninclinedclo'sure cap delivering chute, having arms with shelf lik por' tions adjacent outer ends thereof provided with supporting surfaces spacedabove "adjacent portions of the armsada pted to support lower edge 11 portions of closure caps pulled out of said chute by moving containers.

10. In a machine of the class described, rotatable means having projecting arms provided with upwardly extending shelf-like portions having upper surfaces spaced above adjacent portions of the arms adapted to support edge portions of closure caps and maintain interior cover portions of said closure caps out of contact with container rims.

11. In a machine of the class described, rotatable means having spaced arms provided with raised portions projecting rearwardly from said arms adapted to support edge portions of closure caps and maintain interior cover portions of said closure caps out of contact with container rims.

12. In a machine of the class described, rotatable means having a plurality of projecting arms each provided adjacent an outer end thereof with an upwardly extending shelf-like member adapted to support a leading edge portion of a closure cap during engagement of the closure with a moving container, each member having an upwardly facing sloping surface adjacent its leading edge.

13. A device for forcing closure caps downwardly upon containers carrying them, comprising a continuous belt having spaced upper and lower strands, roller means supporting said belt at a discharge end thereof, a pair of vertically spaced rollers supporting said lower and upper belt strands at an entrance end of said belt, and means yieldably urging said vertically spaced entrance rollers apart from each other.

14. A device for forcing closure caps downwardly upon containers carrying them, comprising a continuous belt having spaced upper and lower strands, roller means supporting said belt at a discharge end thereof, a pair of rollers supporting said lower and upper belt strands at an entrance end of said belt, meansyieldably urging one of said rollers toward said lower strand, and additional means yieldably urging said pair of entrance rollers apart from each other.

15. A device for forcing closure caps downwardly upon containers, comprising a continuous belt having spaced upper and lower strand portions, rollers rotatably supporting said lower strand portion at entrance and exit ends thereof, a pivotally mounted arm supporting said entrance roller adjacent one end of said arm, a fixed member extending generally longitudinally of the belt and carrying said arm adjacent an opposite end thereof, and yieldable means operatively intermediate said fixed member and said pivotally mounted arm urging said pivotally mounted arm away from said fixed member and said entrance roller toward said lower strand.

16. In a device for forcing closure caps downwardly upon containers, a continuous belt having spaced upper and lower strand portions, vertically spaced upper and lower rollers supporting said belt adjacent an entrance end thereof, a pivotally mounted arm supporting said lower roller adjacent one end of said arm, a fixed member carrying said arm adjacent an opposite end thereof, yieldable means operatively intermediate said fixed member and said pivotally mounted arm urging said pivotally mounted arm away from said fixed member and said lower roller downwardly, a pivotally mounted arm supporting said upper roller adjacent one end of said arm, and yieldable means operatively intermediate said arms urging them apart from each other.

17. In a machine of the class described, means for applying a closure onto a container includinga rotatably supported member having a pair of spaced depending finger portions adapted to project down along and move along opposite side portions of the closure, and a downwardly facing surface portion intermediate said finger portions and above lower ends thereof adapted to press against and slide along a cover portion of the closure.

18. In a machine of the class described, means for applying a closure onto a container including a rotatably supported member having a pair of spaced depending finger portions adapted to project below a cover portion of and move along opposite side portions of the closure, a downwardly facing portion intermediate said finger portions and above lower ends thereof adapted to press against and slide along the surface of said cover portion of the closure, and a magnet carried by said member at said downwardly facing portion adapted to exert a holding force on the closure.

19. In a machine of the class described, means for applying a closure onto a container including a rotatably mounted member having adjacent one end thereof a pair of depending horizontally spaced finger portions adapted to project below a cover portion of and move along opposite side portions of the closure, a surface portion intermediate said finger portions and above lower ends thereof adapted to press against said cover portion of the closure, and a plurality of magnets carried by said member at said surface portion adapted to retard movement of the closure.

20. In a machine of the class described, the combination of an inclined chute for delivering closure caps in inclined position to moving containers, means adjacent a lower end of said chute adapted to maintain closure caps in the chute until released by moving containers, movable means below said inclined chute having pockets for holding the containers during their movement, and said movable means having upper surfaces at front portions of the pockets disposed in close proximity to the lower end of said inclined chute and at substantially the lower portion of a side wall sealing surface adjacent upper ends of containers in the pockets for supporting lowermost skirt portions of the inclined closure caps, to thereby support the undersides of closure cap top panels out of contact with upper front edges of the containers during delivery of the closure caps to the containers.

HARRY E. STOVER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name 7 Date 2,041,891 White May 26, 1936 2,107,237 Davies Feb. 1, 1938 2,311,707 Stewart Feb. 23, 1943 2,319,213 Davies May 18, 1943 2,319,214 Davies May 18, 1943 2,325,166 Martin July 27, 1943 2,481,495 Borthwick Sept. 13, 1949 2,518,857 Bell Aug. 15, 1950 2,522,437 Enkur Sept. 12, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 547,227 Great Britain Aug. 19, 1942 

